Super Pet Lovers Holiday Gift Guide
By: Jade L. & Annie M.
With the Holidays just around the corner, We’ve been scrambling around trying to think of easy and quick gift ideas that still hold special meaning. Sound familiar? We put together this Pet Lovers Holiday Gift Guide, which lists some great gift ideas for pets, pet lovers and pet owners. Ranging from simple to mildly extravagant, functional, useful and just for fun!
The Rolls Royce of Carriers: The Sleepypod
The first time I saw a Sleepypod I thought, that’s the coolest carrier I’ve ever seen. My co-worker had taken my wee fosters for the night and returned them in her Sleepypod. I arrived at my cube early the next morning and found these two snuggled up, purring away in the plush, circular carrier. The Sleepypod comes in a variety of sizes and colors and has a domed top that can be unzipped and removed completely. The furry lining is removable, washable and replaceable. The thing that impressed me most was that after I zipped off the lid, the kittens stayed inside and kept snuggling and purring all day, they were THAT comfortable. You can use the sleepypod as a traditional carrier for cat or dog, they make great beds, they can be strapped into a car via seat belt and they are airline approved. Even secondhand they are a bit pricey. If you are looking for a more affordable alternative, I recommend:
The Affordable Alternative: The Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier
I have this Sherpa Carrier and I think it’s great. I got the largest size at 20″ length X 11.5″ height X 11.75″ diameter with a maximum weight limit of 22lbs. This carrier is also airline approved and comes with a shearling type pad that is secured to the bottom of the carrier with extra grippy Velcro. It has two short handles and one long duffel style strap that can be clipped on and off. You can put cats in through a hatch in the top as well as on the side. The top hatch comes in really handy when trying to transport many kittens, who will escape while you are trying to stuff the other kittens in (if you have fostered before, you know what I’m talking about). I don’t have much storage space in my small apartment so I store the carrier under a side table and the cats nap in it. They warmed up to this carrier in a way they never would with a hard-sided carrier and because they are so comfortable with it, it makes transport much less stressful for them.
Buy a Bed Give a Bed: Lambskin Beds from No More Bedless Pets
This is the gift I’m most excited about! It’s a collaboration between AlphaPooch Pet Products and the No More Bedless Pets program, the concept is really simple. Buy a qualifying dog bed, available in 3 sizes, with a price range of $49 to $149 and NMBP will donate a bed to an animal in a shelter. NMBP will also donate 15% of your purchase to Best Friend’s Animal Society which is another non profit that does wonderful things for animals. Please visit their website to learn more about their great programs. This is the kind of shopping you can really feel good about and we are so thankful these programs exist!
For Cat and Dog: A Sturdy Tote Bag that will Last Forever
A handy tote bag is indispensible when traveling with Winston. That pup has more stuff then I do. He needs his chewy ball, poop bags, treats, his favorite stuffy, pet wipes, brush, water, food etc and what about cats! While you don’t have to travel with your cat that often, their necessities are bigger and heavier! We love these L.L. Bean Tote bags because they come in all different sizes and are rugged enough to carry a litter box, a bag of heavy cat litter, food, dishes and a jug of water, medicines, toys and anything else you can think of! I swear every person on the east coast has one of these bags and with free shipping and L.L. Bean’s lifetime guarantee, you can’t go wrong.
These are Just Exquisite: Braided Collars From Kiss My Mutt
I saw these collars in a magazine and I thought they were so beautiful. These simple braided collars by Kiss My Mutt come in two collections; The Coastal Collection (see photo above) and The City Dweller Collection, with bolder colors. You can get a single color or go for the two tone which I personally like. They are made of nylon cording and are durable and water resistant with sturdy silver hardware. You can also pick up a matching leash if you like, The collars are under $20 dollars and the leashes under $30 so they’re pretty affordable too!
Who Knew?: Coconut Oil
We recently took over the care of a certain black lab mix we call Handsome Hank. Here he is at the vet being treated for an infected abrasion on his nose. He got an antibiotic shot and the vet told us to get a jar of Coconut Oil and put a teaspoon in with his food everyday, as well as a good slather on the wound itself. Coconut oil consists of about 92 percent saturated fat and is nearly solid at room temperature. It has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties as well as being great for healing the skin. It is good internally and externally (in small doses of course). You can pick up a jar inexpensively online or go to your local natural food store and spend a little more. Either way, your dog’s coat will be soft and shiny after a week on coconut oil!
A Little Kitsch Never Hurt Anybody: Dachshund Ice Cube Tray
This is for all those wiener lovers out there. This silicon ice cube tray makes 9 dachshund shaped ice cubes and promises to be one of the coolest gifts. The cubes measure 2.5′ length x 1.5″ height and the tray is dishwasher safe.
Because Your Mutt is One of a Kind: Customized Mug
We love mutts because each one is unique, but alas what makes them so special is also what keeps us from finding standard coffee cups with their faces on them. Shutterfly.com has four different options for customizable photo mugs (and a travel mug too) ranging from $11.00 to $15.00 dollars a piece. I received a customized mug one Christmas with my dog’s face on one side and my ferret’s on the other and 13 years later, It remains one of my favorite gifts of all time. Really, who wouldn’t love a mug with their favorite mutt’s (or kitties) mug on it?
For The Indoor Cat: Let Everyone Know What’s Up!
We recommend even indoor cats wear identification tags, just in case they end up outside through a broken screen, an unknowing house guest or heaven forbid, a natural disaster. A tag like this will let everyone know that your cat is not free range and that you (the owner) should be notified asap. A tag like this was made in a basic tag engraver at Adopt & Shop for about $8.00. Any place you can purchase engraved identification tags should be able to make a tag like this.
Calendars Always Make Great Gifts: 6 Packs/9 Lives
6 Packs 9 Lives front cover
6 Packs / 9 Lives calendar – I know it seems like an obvious plug, but proceeds from our hot men with cats calendar go towards low cost spay & neuter programs in Los Angeles. So not only are you getting a quirky gift, but you’re helping to SAVE kittens (you can check off superhero on your To Do list). BONUS – We’re offering free shipping through December!
The best part? All of these items can be ordered online allowing you to avoid the frantic rush of fellow procrastinators and spend more time hanging out with your cats. As Sadie Saxton would say, “You’re welcome.”
What’s the best pet gift you’ve ever received? Tell us in the comments below and we’ll pick one lucky commenter and send you a Found Animals gift bag featuring a mystery item from our gift list. Happy Holidays!
“Found Animals receives a percentage from every purchase made through its Amazon store. All of the proceeds Found Animals receives goes to helping pets.”
wanna try to take a piture of my dog on a cup
My friend and neighbor came over tonight wearing the most beautful hat, muffler that I’ve ever seen. Black, silky soft and had little small paws on it. Wanted to know where she got them and she said online at a shelter sight. Then she pulled out gloves and said to try them on. I did, they fit, and she said, “Merry Christmas”. Wow, what a gift! Lost my dog in Sept. so now have to find a new best friend so I can wear these. Shelters, here I come!
Love the merchandise
The best pet gift I ever received was a collapsible crate for my dog. He likes having his own space sometimes and when we travel it folds easily and takes up little room!
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Really enjoyed this article, is there any way I can receive an email sent to me when you write a new article?
Yes, you can sign up for our RSS feed – under the Reel, where it says Follow Found Animals, thanks
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